Beijing has warned it will take “strong measures” against what it characterizes as Philippine provocations in disputed South China Sea waters, even as it insists it remains open to resolving the standoff through talks.
Chinese Embassy spokesperson Ji Lingpeng, in a Facebook post on Sunday, April 5, said China would “never allow the Philippine side to act recklessly” and pledged to continue acting “in accordance with the law” to defend its sovereignty and maritime rights.
The statement came after the Philippine National Maritime Council condemned what it described as “aggressive and dangerous actions” by Chinese maritime forces in the West Philippine Sea, citing a series of incidents in March — including alleged harassment of Filipino fisherfolk, dangerous maneuvers, and the use of fire-control radar against a Philippine vessel.
Beijing flatly rejected those accusations. Ji called the radar allegation “entirely fabricated,” saying it was being used to “smear China” and distort public opinion. The embassy countered that Philippine vessels and aircraft had repeatedly triggered incidents in disputed areas throughout March, including aircraft it said entered airspace over features it refers to as Huangyan Dao and parts of the Nansha Qundao without permission. Chinese forces, it said, were deployed to “warn and expel” those aircraft.
A reported near-collision at sea was similarly disputed. China said a Philippine vessel made “unsafe and unprofessional” maneuvers near a Chinese naval ship, and that its own forces responded with what it described as “professional and standard” actions to prevent an accident.
Ji demanded that Manila stop what he called maritime infringement and halt efforts to escalate tensions publicly. “The Philippine side should demonstrate sincerity, match words with deeds, immediately cease maritime infringement and provocation, stop hyping up the maritime situation, and return to the correct track of resolving maritime issues through dialogue and consultation,” he said.
Despite the sharp rhetoric, Beijing said its broader position favors negotiation. “China’s position on handling disputes with the Philippines in the South China Sea is consistent and clear: it upholds resolving territorial and maritime disputes through negotiation, and properly managing differences and the maritime situation through dialogue,” Ji said, adding that both sides currently maintain contact through diplomatic channels.
Ji also dismissed Philippine efforts to build an international case against China. “The Philippine side first engages in infringement and provocation against China and creates incidents, then fabricates facts and shifts the blame, demonstrating a lack of credibility,” he said. “The international community can clearly see through the Philippines’ attempts at cognitive manipulation.”
Manila has continued to assert that its maritime operations are lawful under international law, including the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China’s sweeping territorial claims in the South China Sea — a decision Beijing has refused to recognize.
